The Whole Child’s Housing Program is actively recruiting for a FRT Member

 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  The Family Response Team Member (FRT) acts as the first point of contact within the Family Solutions Center (FSC) and provides screening, triage, crisis intervention, access to crisis housing, and transportation services to homeless families in SPA 7.  The FRT quickly screens all homeless families referred, diverts families from the shelter system, connects homeless families to crisis housing and addresses families’ immediate needs.  The FRT is responsible for assisting families navigate the homeless system from receipt of referral to acceptance into appropriate permanent housing programs.

The purpose of the FRT is to assist families in achieving transitional housing and access medical, educational, social, prevocational, rehabilitative, or other needed community services for eligible clients and families who have become homeless.  Targeted population includes children (Birth to age 18) and their families who are at risk of becoming homeless or are currently homeless utilizing a Community Based Scattered Site Model.  The Community Based Scattered Site Model is designed to maximize family independence, minimize family disruption, and result in stronger, more viable housing permanency outcomes.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY: The FRT provide an array of services in support of the Family Solution Center/Family Housing Programs.  FRT gathers pertinent information from the family and complete pre-screening/triage tool which is designed to assist service providers target families towards the most appropriate housing intervention.  The FRT will implement, based on information gathered, the crisis housing portion of the family’s coordinated assistance plan to address the family’s immediate housing and other crisis needs.

The FRT promotes a strengths based approach to service that empowers families, supports a community based philosophy of service, and ensures that all services are aligned with the agency’s mission, vision, and core values.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Serves as an entry point for homeless families within SPA 7
  • Acceptance of warm transfer calls of families prescreened by 211 LA County during the day and evening hours and weekends as needed
  • Conducts standardized screening and triages families imminently at-risk and homeless
  • Works in coordination with the FSC Case Management team and HFSS crisis housing providers to ensure seamless and integrated care for homeless families
  • Diverts families to other sources of assistance when possible
  • Screens and immediately addresses safety concerns; Conducts child safety screenings
  • Develops and implements crisis housing plans
  • Connects families to immediate supportive services as needed such as mental health, health, substance abuse, child care, employment, etc.
  • Data entry to HMIS
  • Coordination with the DPSS Homeless Case Manager for initial eligibility assessment of CalWorks benefits
  • Follow-up activities to ensure completion of the crisis housing plan
  • Provides individual and group rehabilitation services under HUD, DMH, DPSS and city contracts.
  • Completes and submits progress notes in a 24 hour timeframe utilizing the agency’s electronic health record system (HMIS).
  • Assists family with identifying internal and external resources to assist with multiple stressors as it relates to homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse issues, etc.
  • Provides interagency and intra-agency consultation, communication, coordination and referrals.
  • Attends community meetings as requested by Housing Manager to present on housing services, referral process and eligibility criteria.
  • Represents the agency at community resource fairs.
  • Follows up with families to ensure successful placement and housing permanency.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or other mental health related discipline.

Minimum of 4 years of work experience related to providing case management or rehabilitative services in a mental health setting. Valid California driver’s license and valid auto insurance.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employee may be asked to participate in cross-training programs or pursue additional education or training when it is determined to be in the best interest of the company by the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive Officer.

This description is only intended to identify the duties, responsibilities, and requirements for the position.  It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted to describe each and every duty employees assigned may be required to perform.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed in normal office setting. Noise level is moderate with occasional loud outbursts. Occasional need to work out in the field contacting clients in homes and schools. Frequently uses motor vehicle to effectively execute job duties.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery

Constantly converses with staff and clients

Frequently operates a motor vehicle to travel to home site

Frequently needs to position self in order to effectively interact with children of lesser stature

Occasionally needs to transport materials (food, clothing, books, etc.) weighing up to 50 pounds for therapeutic activities

Frequently needs to use motor vehicle for business purposes.

WHAT WE OFFER:

A competitive salary and an above average benefits package:

  • Medical* plan choice of HMO plans or PPO plan
  • Dental* plan choice of HMO or PPO
  • Vision Plan
  • 401K – $ for $ match up to 4%
  • Supplemental Insurances
  • Life Insurance
  • AD&D
  • Pet Insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • 12 Holidays
  • PTO of 15 days per year that increases per policy

*HMO plans are at no cost to the employee

The Whole Child is an equal employment opportunity employer and no candidate for employment will be rejected on account of race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, or sex.  Candidates with physical impairments will be considered so long as it can be reasonably demonstrated that the duties and responsibilities can be effectively performed without hazard to the individual, fellow employees, or clientele.